Putting Wheels on the Bus - we need govt funding
Transit advocates are talking about a report called “Putting Wheels on the Bus” published by the Environmental Defence and Équiterre that calls on all levels of government to support public transit.
The pathway to doubling public transit use by 2035
Public transit is an excellent use of public tax dollars – good quality transit helps everyone (even people who don’t ride transit).
Good transit provides freedom to those who can’t drive. Good transit allows low income residents to get to school and to work and to appointments.
Accessible transit, along with well maintained sidewalks and other infrastructure, provides independence to people with mobility challenges.
Good public transit allows people to leave their cars at home, thus contributing to the battle against climate change. It reduces traffic and pollution and competition for parking.
All in all, good, reliable, affordable, accessible public transit is something worth fighting for.
Federal government must step up transit funding to cut emissions
A useful quote from the article:
Municipalities are not allowed to borrow money for their operating budgets and are restricted in what taxes they can levy. This has led to reduced service and increased fares. This in turn leads to even lower ridership, which inevitably translates to more service cuts and fare increases – a vicious downward spiral.
The Environmental Defence and Équiterre is an environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
The study discusses how Canada can double public transit ridership by 2035, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 65 million tons between 2024 and 2035; the equivalent of the annual emissions from 20 million cars.
Click to read the report, “Putting Wheels on the Bus”.
Environmental Defence and Équiterre report
We all have our own reasons for advocating for better transit – it improves equity, it helps people who are low income, it offers freedom to people who don’t drive, it reduces pollution and traffic …
The Environmental Defence and Équiterre, an environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities has just released a study on how Canada can double public transit ridership by 2035. Improving public transit can reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 65 million tons between 2024 and 2035 which is the equivalent of the annual emissions from 20 million cars.
The report, “Putting Wheels on the Bus” can be found here: PUTTING WHEELS ON THE BUS - Environmental Defence
In the report, they list five specific things that Canada can do to promote public transit:
1.Fund Public Transit Operations to Get More People Riding on Transit
This means making full use of all the extra buses and trains, designing public transit networks to encourage trips beyond "the commute to work" by providing frequent, all-day bus service, and incentivize cities to build dedicated transit right-of-way infrastructure, like bus lanes.
2.Build More Houses Near Public Transit
This would mean implementing zoning policies that require a minimum level of housing density to be built near public transit and eliminate parking minimums.
3.Use Public Transit as a Tool to Advance Equity Goals
This means ensuring that the travel patterns of equity-seeking groups and marginalized people are met through tools like: increased service outside of peak periods, federal operations funding for low-income fare discounts and anti-displacement strategies to ensure those who are most likely to take transit can actually afford to live near it.
4.Implement Zero-Emission Bus Requirements
This would mean shifting one-off electrification funding projects to making zero-emissions public transit a core feature of ongoing, permanent capital funding. The federal government should introduce procurement requirements for zero-emission buses as a condition to receive funding, whilst allowing for flexibility based on city size.
5.Set Clear Goals to Shift People from Cars to Sustainable Transportation
This would mean setting targets to double public transit ridership by 2035 (compared to 2023 levels) and reduce vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) by 35% by 2035 (compared to 2019 levels). This can be done through funding deals that require municipalities to meet minimum targets based on community size that collectively achieve national goals. That also means getting started now by accelerating the Permanent Public Transit Fund to begin in 2024 rather than 2026.
Blackburn Hamlet pilot
In February, OC Transpo launched a pilot project using ParaTranspo buses to offer a limited on-demand service from Blackburn Hamlet to Blair station.
This service will operate on weekends and select holidays (no word yet whether Family Day will count).
On-demand transit pilot rolling out in Blackburn Hamlet this weekend (yahoo.com)
On-demand transit pilot starts this weekend | CBC News
The Ottawa Transit Riders agree with people who use Para Transpo that this pilot project highlights how little the city and OC Transpo cares about people with disabilities.
For one, people who use Para Transpo have to book their rides at least a day in advance; they have been advocating for on-demand service for decades. Offering it first to able-bodied people is rather dismissive.
Secondly, people who use Para Transpo have been complaining for years about a lack of capacity. They’ve been told that sub-standard service is because of a lack of buses and/or drivers. How can OC Transpo use Para buses for able-bodied people instead of improving services for people who use Para Transpo?
On-demand transit: Para Transpo riders express frustration as OC Transpo on-demand service kicks off | CTV News
OC Transpo's new on-demand transit 'frustrating' to watch for Para Transpo users
Ottawa Transit Riders supports Para Parity, a subcommittee devoted to advocating for accessible transportation in Ottawa. We meet once per month to discuss specific issues and campaign strategies. If you would like to participate, please email us at [email protected]
Watch out for fare inspections
We’ve all done it – after waiting for too long in poor weather, our transfer has expired, the bus is packed, and the fare reader at the back doesn’t work …
OC Transpo recently ran a fare inspection blitz between October and December and handed out about 287 tickets.
The cost of evading transit fare is $260, which is a shocking amount of money considering how many low income people require public transit to get around.
Members of the Ottawa Transit Riders were unimpressed with the focus on going after transit riders.
OC Transpo: Fare inspection ramps up, with $75,000 of tickets last fall | CTV News
More than $1,900 worth of fare-dodging fines issued per day on OC Transpo | CBC News
For comparison, parking a car in a bike lane will cost a driver about $125.
The next Transit Commission meeting is Thursday, February 8th. Contact Eric Pelot, Committee Coordinator [email protected], (613) 580-2424, ext. 22953 if you want to speak.
Emergency Preparedness for persons with disabilities on February 13
The city of Ottawa and OC Transpo need to work with residents with disabilities to prepare for emergencies.
As you might remember, the Ottawa Transit Riders held a Para Awareness event at city hall in September 2023.
ONE of our demands is that First Responders meet face-to-face with people with disabilities to discuss how they would evacuate people in an emergency.
I don’t want to be alarmist, but it’s always better to be prepared for the worst than to be surprised by easily foreseeable challenges. If, for example, the city needs special equipment to evacuate people using certain types of wheelchairs, then we should make sure that the city obtains such equipment before we need it.
The city is hosting a session concerning Emergency Preparedness for persons with disabilities on February 13, from 1-3 p.m.
The City’s Office of Emergency Management, Accessibility Office and Ottawa Public Health will provide information and resources with a focus on key emergency preparedness considerations for those living with disabilities. The second portion of the session will be a facilitated discussion to learn about the needs, perspectives, concerns and questions shared by attendees, as well as explore opportunities for further collaboration with you. Topics include making a plan, preparing an emergency kit, and staying connected during emergencies. The event will take place Tuesday February 13 virtually on zoom from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (EST).
Please register online. https://s-ca.chkmkt.com/?e=372513&d=e&h=DB4258BD28348E8&l=en
Registration will be open until 4:00 pm Monday February 12. A Zoom link will be shared with registrants the evening before the event. If you require support to complete this form, please contact the Accessibility Office at 613-580-2424 extension 21633 or at [email protected].
To promote the inclusion of all participants, the following supports are in place for the event:
American Sign Language (ASL)
Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ)
Continuous real-time captioning in English and French
Simultaneous English and French audio translation
When registering, please let us know if you require any additional accommodations to participate.
Happy New Year 2024
What did Ottawa Transit Riders do in 2023?
We started the year with a forum in Kanata to discuss local transit issues. We followed up with a forum in Orleans, discussing the specific challenges of anticipating transit demands in a growing neighbourhood. Reports on both events are available on our website or by email.
In April, several members attended and spoke at the Transportation Master Plan Workshop hosted by the Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa (FCA).
Throughout the year, Ottawa Transit Riders staffed booths at several in-person events, including at Lansdowne Market, Elgin Market, and the Sandy Hill Eco-Fair.
We had members attend every Transit Commission meeting, including at a marathon meeting in November where councillors debated raising fares.
Members organized and spoke at several rallies and protests throughout the year, often in partnership with groups such as Horizon Ottawa, Free Transit Ottawa, Ecology Ottawa, Acorn, and various unions.
We held our Annual General Meeting on July 4th.
In September, we held a Para Transpo Awareness event at City Hall, attended by a significant number of people who use accessible transportation and a respectable number of city councillors.
Transit Chair councillor Glen Gower accompanied board member Sally Thomas on a routine trip to the grocery store to experience ParaTranspo himself. We recommend that other people who use Para Transpo invite their own councillors to do the same - it’s highly informative!
We were disappointed that Renée Amilcar, general manager of OC Transpo, did not attend our Para Transpo event, but in October, advocates for accessible transit Sally Thomas, Ryan Lythall and Laura Shantz had an in-person meeting with Mme Amilcar and several key OC Transpo executives.
We will see if mayor Sutcliffe is willing to meet with us in 2024.
We’re kicking off the New Year with a plan to re-enervate the ParaParity committee. If there is a specific issue you want to see the Ottawa Transit Riders focus on, contact us at [email protected]
Volunteer for Transit Advisory Working Group
Are you frustrated with the state of transit in this city?
Who am I fooling? If you’re on this website, you’re likely familiar with the challenges of transit in Ottawa. Well, here’s a chance to make your voice heard. The city is recruiting volunteers to sit on a new Transit Advisory Working Group.
Details can be found here on Councillor Gower’s webpage: Recruitment for the Transit Advisory Working Group - Glen Gower | Councillor / Conseiller | Stittsville
Please consider applying – we need people who understand the value of public transit on this working group.
If you are interested in providing a voice on the future of our city’s transit services, please complete the application form before 5:00 pm on Friday, December 22, 2023. Questions can be sent to [email protected]
Êtes-vous frustré par l'état des transports en commun dans cette ville ?
Qui suis-je en train de tromper ? Si vous êtes sur ce site Web, vous êtes probablement au courant des défis que pose le transport en commun à Ottawa. Voici l'occasion de faire entendre votre voix. La Ville recrute des bénévoles pour faire partie d'un nouveau groupe de travail consultatif sur le transport en commun.
Les détails se trouvent ici, sur la page Web du conseiller Gower : Recruitment for the Transit Advisory Working Group - Glen Gower | Councillor / Conseiller | Stittsville
N'hésitez pas à poser votre candidature - nous avons besoin de personnes qui comprennent la valeur des transports en commun dans ce groupe de travail.
Si vous souhaitez vous faire entendre sur l’avenir de nos services de transport en commun, veuillez remplir le formulaire de candidature d’ici 17 h le vendredi 22 décembre 2023. Vous pouvez envoyer vos questions à l’adresse [email protected].
Rally at City Hall Wed 6 Dec
Members of the Ottawa Transit Riders will join other community members from groups such as Horizon and Acorn at a rally at City Hall on Wednesday December 6th to battle for a budget that serves ALL residents of the city.
Community services are pleading for more funding even as mayor Sutcliffe has been dipping into emergency reserves to keep property taxes at a level that is unsustainable to maintain even basic services.
Austerity hurts.
Councillors have proposed to raise the transit levy 1% (about $8 per household) in order to freeze transit fares. That seems pretty reasonable to most people.
Come join us if you can.
Media stories in November
Transit has been in the news recently:
OC Transpo digs into reserves, weighs layoffs to fill $50M hole | CBC News
Riders warn OC Transpo cuts will hurt most vulnerable | CBC News
OC Transpo bus route overhaul draws public's ire (msn.com)
OC Transpo faces $49.8 million shortfall in 2024 (msn.com)
Ordinary citizens are expressing their frustration. Here is a quote from Reddit (apologies for not crediting the writer)
I’m tired of hearing about OC Transpo’s “deficit”. It’s a public service that benefits everyone, even if you only drive you benefit from reduced cars on the road, pollution, noise, etc. etc.
The military doesn’t turn a profit. Highways don’t turn a profit. Sidewalks don’t turn a profit. Storm sewers don’t turn a profit. We pay taxes and expect these services in return. WHY is public transit the only service that has this self-defeating point-of-service user fee associated? Imagine we had to pay $3.25 every time we used a sidewalk? Or when it rained we had to pay $3.25 to unlock our nearby catch basin? IT DOESNT MAKE SENSE.
Also, an excellent article from Nick Grover of Free Transit Ottawa: Grover: Want better public transit, Ottawa? Invest in it | Ottawa Citizen
Talk to your councillor about transit cuts
The Transit Commission meeting held on Tuesday, November 14th was very long. There were a lot of delegations – a lot of people tried to make councillors understand that the proposed cuts will make transit worse.
Feeling hopeless?
It’s not over yet.
On December 6th, the councillors will debate raising the transit levy from 2.5% to 3.5%. That works out to about $8 per household.
Are you willing to pay an additional $8 per year to support transit?
Contact your city councillor. Call them, email them, talk to them at an event. Explain why good quality transit is such an important issue. They work for us and they need to vote better.
La réunion de la commission des transports qui s'est tenue le mardi 14 novembre a été très longue. Il y avait beaucoup de délégations - beaucoup de gens ont essayé de faire comprendre aux conseillers que les coupures proposées aggraveront la situation du transport en commun.
Vous vous sentez désespéré ?
Rien n'a encore été décidé.
Le 6 décembre, les conseillers débattront de l'augmentation de la taxe sur les transports en commun de 2,5 % à 3,5 %. Cela représente environ 8 dollars par ménage.
Êtes-vous prêt à payer 8 dollars de plus par an pour soutenir les transports en commun ?
Contactez votre conseiller municipal. Appelez-le, envoyez-lui un courriel, parlez-lui lors d'un événement. Expliquez-leur pourquoi un transport en commun de qualité est une question si importante. Ils travaillent pour nous et doivent mieux voter.